Utility loader with high lift loader arms and unifying hand grip for dual traction control levers

Abstract

A compact utility loader is operated by a standing operator at the rear of a frame. A loader arm assembly comprises a scissors linkage on either side of the frame nesting around the prime mover. Each scissors linkage has an upper loader arm that is pivoted at its rear end to rears ends of a pair of lower loader arms such that the pivot connections to the upper loader arm move upwardly and forwardly relative to the frame during elevation of the loader arm assembly to provide a high lift capability. The frame is self-propelled by a differential drive and steering system that is operated by dual levers. A hand grip extends between and unifies the operation of the levers to permit the operator to more easily move the levers in the ways that are needed to provide either straight motion of the frame or turns of the frame.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A compact utility loader, which comprises:
 (a) a frame carrying a prime mover; 
 (b) ground engaging members carried by the frame with at least one ground engaging member being powered to self-propel the frame; 
 (c) the frame carrying a control console having a control mounting surface which positions controls toward a rear of the loader that are manipulated to operate the loader; 
 (d) a foot platform carried on the frame toward the rear of the loader for permitting the controls to be accessible from behind by an operator who stands on the foot platform; 
 (e) a pair of loader arms having front ends which are capable of carrying a work operation tool, the loader arms comprising a left loader arm on a left side of the frame and a right loader arm on a right side of the frame; 
 (f) left and right actuators which are extendable and collapsible in length for lifting and lowering the left and right loader arms, respectively, relative to the frame, the left and right actuators being pivotal relative to the frame and having actuator pivot connections to the left and right loader arms, respectively, which lie along a laterally extending actuator pivot axis; 
 (g) left and right linkages on left and right sides of the frame, respectively, for supporting the left and right loader arms, respectively, for movement between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein the left and right linkages each comprise first and second pivotal connecting arms having connecting arm pivot connections to the left and right loader arms, respectively, which lie along a laterally extending first connecting arm pivot axis and a laterally extending second connecting arm pivot axis, respectively; 
 (h) wherein the actuator pivot axis is lower than the control mounting surface of the control console in the lowered position of the loader arms and is higher than the control mounting surface of the control console in the raised position of the loader arms, and wherein rearward portions of the loader arms are free of any cross members extending laterally between the loader arms over a fore-and-aft distance extending forwardly from rear ends of the loader arms past the actuator and connecting arm pivot axes. 
 
     
     
       2. The loader of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot connection of the actuator to the loader arms is located ahead of a front end of the control mounting surface of the control console in the raised position of the loader arms. 
     
     
       3. The loader of  claim 2 , wherein the pivot connection of the actuator to the loader arms is further located proximate to the front end of the control mounting surface of the control console in the raised position of the loader arms. 
     
     
       4. The loader of  claim 3 , wherein the controls protrude at least upwardly from the control mounting surface to terminate in upper ends that are spaced above the control mounting surface, wherein the pivot connection of the actuator to the loader arms is higher than the upper ends of the controls in the raised position of the loader arms. 
     
     
       5. The loader of  claim 2 , wherein the controls protrude at least upwardly from the control mounting surface to terminate in upper ends that are spaced above the control mounting surface, wherein the pivot connection of the actuator to the loader arms is higher than the upper ends of the controls in the raised position of the loader arms. 
     
     
       6. The loader of  claim 1 , wherein the controls protrude at least upwardly from the control mounting surface to terminate in upper ends that are spaced above the control mounting surface, wherein the pivot connection of the actuator to the loader arms is higher than the upper ends of the controls in the raised position of the loader arms. 
     
     
       7. The loader of  claim 1 , wherein the ground engaging members comprise powered left and right ground engaging members carried by the frame for self-propelling the frame and for providing differential steering of the frame. 
     
     
       8. The loader of  claim 7 , wherein each of the left and right ground engaging members comprises an endless track. 
     
     
       9. The loader of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting arms are configured to produce at least some longitudinal motion of the loader arms relative to the frame as the loader arms move between the lowered and the raised positions thereof. 
     
     
       10. The loader of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second connecting arms are configured to produce at least some longitudinal motion of the connecting arm pivot connections relative to the frame as the loader arms move between the lowered and the raised positions thereof. 
     
     
       11. The loader of  claim 10 , wherein the pivot connection of the actuator to the loader arms is located forward of the connecting arm pivot connections to the loader arms in the lowered position of the loader arms. 
     
     
       12. The loader of  claim 1 , wherein the front end of the loader arms are capable of carrying an outdoor work operation tool. 
     
     
       13. The loader of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting arms are free of any cross members extending laterally between the connecting arms over the fore-and-aft distance.